Earth/Moon Motion#
Moon’s Synchronous Rotation#
Illustrate the synchronous rotation of the Moon. The black dot represents a person standing on the surface. The orbit is taken to be circular, for simplicity.
download MP4: moon_rotation.mp4
Lunar Period#
A simple animation showing how the time between successive full Moons (the synodic lunar period) is greater than the true (sidereal) orbital period of the Moon.
download MP4: lunar_period.mp4
Sidereal vs. Solar Day (for Earth)#
A simple animation showing how the true rotation period of Earth (the sidereal day) is shorter than the time between noons (the solar day).
download MP4: earth.mp4
Phases of the Moon#
A simple animation showing the phases of the Moon and the corresponding point in the Moons orbit around the Earth, with respect to the Sun.
download MP4: lunar-phases.mp4
Earth Diagram#
An animated diagram pointing out how latitude, zenith, and horizon are defined, as well as showing the orientation of Earth on the Summer Solstice and showing the tropics and (ant)arctic circles.
download MP4: earth_summer_solstice.mp4
Seasons#
A simple animation showing how the Earth’s axial tilt does not change direction over the course of an orbit, giving rise to the seasons.
download MP4: seasons.mp4
Solstices and Equinox#
A set of animations showing the Earth at either solstice or and equinox (with the time set as noon UTC).
- download MP4:
Stony Brook Over a Year#
A view of the changing seasons over the year, centered on Stony Brook, NY at noon local time. Two different projections are shown.
- download MP4: